In The Lord’s Service
A couple of decades back in an adult Sunday school setting, my Pastor and father in the faith, began a course of teaching called, “In the Lord’s Service.” It was to strengthen those already in ministry leadership positions, teach those new to these positions, and inspire others to rise and accept positions. With revelation of Paul’s exhortation to Timothy in his second epistle, our Pastor began to teach on how to be a servant of the Lord.
When the course ended after a couple of months, I had a hunger for more. I continued to study the scriptures on being a servant of the Lord. It was years later that I received both revelation and inspiration on the first three verses of 2 Timothy 2. From that I began to write “In the Lord’s Service.” This article, and those that follow are what I received on what I consider the highest calling that is being a servant, a person that God would use to minister to others.
Merriam-Webster defines servant as “one that serves others.” Not sure if it was Noah Webster or one of the Merriam brothers that was playing the part of “Captain Obvious” that day, but those four words speak volumes on wisdom and honor. Another definition brings out that a servant serves as a help for the benefit of others. I like the thought that this definition puts forth. Doing things for the benefit of others. This goes crossways to the worldly view of a servant. To some servants are thought of as lowly and menial.
It is sad but the western culture of our society has championed this attitude. Because honor has not been upheld and taught, our society has the tendency to look for ways to be served instead of serving. Get, take, and store up has replaced give, care, and lift up. We have forgotten the wisdom of former President John F. Kennedy who said, “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” And with greater and eternal consequences the commandant of the Lord Jesus has been ignored.
Acts 20:35b.
“…It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
In the natural, service to others can still be seen in many ways. Consider the people that you interact with daily that help bring you comfort or enjoyment. The waiter or waitress, the cleaning crew at your job, and those caring daycare teachers you entrust your children to. Many young people make the decision to serve our nation by entering the military. Everyday people put on the uniform of a first responder to protect our communities. Men and woman will leave their businesses to serve as representatives in government.
Concerning government service, primarily those that serve in the executive branch, there is a phrase that will be heard often. It is, “I serve at the pleasure of the President.” We usually hear it from a cabinet secretary when he or she is about to be fired. With a microphone in their face, they have opportunity to criticize, but an honorable government servant will simply respond with “I serve at the pleasure of the President.” Centuries ago, in a monarch these words would be “At His Majesty’s pleasure.” This phrase shows a loyalty and obedience to authority, and an understanding that one’s service is disposable, disciplined, and dedicated to the achievement of a goal or mission. This heart attitude is found and transcends from the spiritual.
The servant of the Lord is one that in heart has made the commitment to serve at His pleasure. To be willing and obedient to live his or her life for the Lord. To go where He says, to do what He says, and to say what He says. Let us look at some in the Bible that God called His servants. Abraham, Moses, Samuel, David, and Isaiah headliners on the list of the LORD’s servants.
Joshua, Elijah, Solomon, and Daniel play second fiddle in the LORD’s big picture to bring His Christ to the world. When called to do something, they did it by faith. When given His words, they spoke them. They confronted injustice, interceded for others, and instructed others in righteousness. The 11th chapter of Hebrews lists the exploits of these and many more that were called and anointed by God to perform His will. And by the world’s standards they came cheap. They served for a promise. (Heb.11:39)
After the Promise came, born of a virgin, sacrificed himself on a cruel Roman cross, and resurrected three days later, the Church was established. Now God’s plan for humanity has become available to everyone. Once we are born again, we enter the family of God as his children, but we are also transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the Kingdom of His Son as servants unto our God. There is so much I could write about this but to keep to the context of introducing a servant of the Lord, we serve in a spiritual Kingdom. Our King is Jesus and He is our authority.
2 Timothy 2: 3
Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Not the best recruiting slogan Paul. Might you have opened with something a little more appealing? Much of the church in America has gotten away from that suffering stuff. When Paul wrote, like a good soldier, my time serving in the military gave me insight. The Holy Spirit helped me to understand all that would be required. He led me to 2 Corinthians 6 where Paul wrote of the hardships he had suffered for the gospel.
“We sometimes deceive people when we tell them, just serve Jesus and everything will be fine. Being a servant is not a club med experience.”
Pastor Dan Bult
Some at this point might be thinking that just coming to church, throwing a few bucks on the plate, and giving an amen here or there is the safe and easy choice. But in doing so you would be missing out on so much more than the light and momentary burdens. od has ordained a great plan for each of His servants. He desires that our lives be fruitful, productive, and fulfilling. (John 15:16) There is great reward in serving the Lord. In this life it brings joy and satisfaction in helping, and in the next, the words every Christian wants to hear, “Well done My good and faithful servant.”